Playful Poems | Page 2

the English Poets," modernised the Complaint of Mars and Venus. Thomas Powell, the editor, contributed his version of the Legends of Ariadne, Philomene, and Phillis, and of "The Flower and the Leaf," and a friend, who signed only as Z. A. Z, dealt with "The Rime of Sir Thopas."
After the volume had appeared, Wordsworth thus wrote of it to Professor Henry Reed of Philadelphia: "There has recently been published in London a volume of some of Chaucer's tales and poems modernised; this little specimen originated in what I attempted with 'The Prioress' Tale,' and if the book should find its way to America you will see in it two further specimens from myself. I had no further connection with the publication than by making a present of these to one of the contributors. Let me, however, recommend to your notice the Prologue and the Franklin's Tale. They are both by Mr. Horne, a gentleman unknown to me, but are--the latter in particular--very well done. Mr. Leigh Hunt has not failed in the Manciple's Tale, which I myself modernised many years ago; but though I much admire the genius of Chaucer as displayed in this performance, I could not place my version at the disposal of the editor, as I deemed the subject somewhat too indelicate for pure taste to be offered to the world at this time of day. Mr. Horne has much hurt this publication by not abstaining from the Reve's Tale. This, after making all allowance for the rude manners of Chaucer's age, is intolerable; and by indispensably softening down the incidents, he has killed the spirit of that humour, gross and farcical, that pervades the original. When the work was first mentioned to me, I protested as strongly as possible against admitting any coarseness and indelicacy, so that my conscience is clear of countenancing aught of that kind. So great is my?admiration of Chaucer's genius, and so profound my reverence for him. . . for spreading the light of Literature through his native land, that, notwithstanding the defects and faults in this?publication, I am glad of it, as a means for making many acquainted with the original, who would otherwise be ignorant of everything about him but his name."
Wordsworth's objection to the Manciple's Tale from Ovid's?Metamorphoses was an afterthought. He had begun by offering his version of it for publication in this volume. His objection to Horne's treatment of the Reve's Tale was reasonable enough. The original tale was the sixth novel in the ninth day of the Decameron, and probably was taken by Chaucer from a Fabliau by Jean de Boves, "De Gombert et des Deux Clercs." The same story has been imitated in the "Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles," and in the "Berceau" of La Fontaine. Horne's removal from the tale of everything that would offend a modern reader was designed to enable thousands to find pleasure in an old farcical piece that would otherwise be left unread.
Chaucer's "Rime of Sir Thopas" was a playful jest on the long-winded story-telling of the old romances, and had specially in mind Thomas Chestre's version of Launfal from Marie of France, and the same rhymer's romance of "Ly Beaus Disconus," who was Gingelein, a son of Gawain, called by his mother, for his beauty, only Beaufis (handsome son); but when he offered himself in that name to be knighted by King Arthur, he was knighted and named by him Li Beaus Disconus (the fair unknown). This is the method of the tediousness, in which it showed itself akin to many a rhyming tale.
"And for love of his fair vis?His mother cleped him Beaufis,?And none other name;?And himselve was full nis,?He ne axed nought y-wis?What he hight at his dame.
"As it befel upon a day,?To wood he went on his play?Of deer to have his game;?He found a knight, where he lay?In armes that were stout and gay,?Y-slain and made full tame.
"That child did off the knightes wede,?And anon he gan him schrede?In that rich armour.?When he hadde do that dede,?To Glastenbury he gede,?There lay the King Arthour.
"He knelde in the hall?Before the knightes all,?And grette hem with honour,?And said: 'Arthour, my lord,?Grant me to speak a word,?I pray thee, par amour.
"'I am a child uncouth,?And come out of the south,?And would be made a knight,?Lord, I pray thee nouthe,?With thy merry mouthe,?Grant me anon right.'
"Then said Arthour the king,?'Anon, without dwelling,?Tell me thy name aplight!?For sethen I was ybore,?Ne found I me before?None so fair of sight.'
"That child said, 'By Saint Jame,?I not what is my name;?I am the more nis;?But while I was at hame?My mother, in her game,?Cleped me Beaufis.'
"Then said Arthour the king,?'This is a wonder thing?By God and Saint Denis!?When he that would be knight?Ne wot not what he hight,?And is so fair of vis.
"'Now will